This weeks Curators Corner: Disease and old age can adversely affect the resources at Lincoln Home National Historic site. Wood rot, decay, and various forms of fungi can destroy 19th-century houses. Many plants fall victim to disease as well. By far, the most destructive disease to impact Lincoln Home was Dutch Elm disease. In the late 1840s, Abraham Lincoln planted an American Elm (Ulmus americana) in front of his home. The tree grew uninhibited until the turn of the century. At that time, a fierce storm destroyed the tree. On February 12, 1910, a new young American Elm was planted in front of the home to commemorate Lincolns birthday. A few years later, this tree succumbed to the deadly Dutch Elm disease that ravaged 90% of native American Elm trees. Currently, the park has contracted to have a Cultural Landscape Plan created for the Lincoln Home. It will use numerous primary sources including a newspaper account found in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society which described the Lincoln Home as having, “A single elm tree, half a foot or so in diameter, near the edge of the sidewalk…A climbing rose with a few other shrubs are the only natural ornaments which adorn the place.” When the elm tree in front of the Lincoln Home grows to a certain height and diameter, it will be uprooted and smaller tree will be planted in its place. Below are a few photos and illustrations of the tree over the years. Enjoy.
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 15:00:01 +0000
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